Guru Unplugged

When is the last time you unplugged — really went off grid and checked the electronic umbilical cord at the door?

I am a blogger, a bit of a social media junkie, and a girl who has a total crush on her iPod. Don’t get me wrong, I love it all — but I own it. It does not own me. I once lived with out all of these things, and I know I could again. And I like it that way. As much as I love engaging with all of my devices and online outlets, I love the fact that I can turn off for a few days with nothing that buzzes, blips, rings, or requires a cord, and not think a thing about it.

I’m just back from 2.5 full days of electronic and media purge. I feasted on corn on the cob from the farmers marker, great face-to-face-conversation, and more fresh air and natural beauty than I have words for. Me the writer. Speechless.

Long walks in the woods, sitting on the dock watching the great blue herons fly and the sailboats pass me by. At night, bats swooped overhead, diving for their supper as I cooked mine. Butterflies and the smell of the bay. No matter what time of day or night, there was something amazing to see and hear. Senses in tune simply because I gave them the time and space to be.

I came back, and although happy to be home, I can’t help but think that unplugged girl has got the right idea. I must remember to let her take the reins more often…and for a lot longer.

I can’t remember the last time I was unplugged. I’m going to my Aunt and Uncle’s place in the U.P. over Labor Day. I was already planning how I could blog from there and keep up with all my online friends, but maybe I’ll try unplugging too. Could be good for me. I’ll just hang out and fish and walk the trails and sit on the dock and look at the water.

Whether it’s a drive to the mountains or desert, or a walk on the beach, I have to agree that the best way to recharge the mental and spiritual batteries is to unplug from the digital world we’ve become addicted to!

So true! We’re headed out for a brief camping trip and that’s one of the reasons I love it. No iPhones. No laptops. No blogs. We’ve plenty of time for those others things. Let’s enjoy the quiet time when we can.

There is much to observe, learn and experience outdoors. Each day brings new growth. The day starts with a walk to the pond to visit the ducks and discovery of something new there. Next month brings another remote camping trip – can’t wait!

Thanks for all the nice comments, folks. Good to see I am not alone in the quest to unplug. It really does make a huge difference in the quality of my life. So yes, as much as I love this blog, you all, Twitter, etc. I am going to continue to shut it all out from time-to-time so I can catch my breath and keep my piece of mind and the creativity flowing.

Just back from a week in a sleepy medieval french town. The place we stayed had wifi & I had my iphone but deliberately let everything fall, even sms/voicemail. They key thing I noticed was the space to think, take in some books, notice stuff, enjoy food, nature etc. Also hanging out with a 6 year old helped – they so live in the long now where an icecream cone as big as their face or watching a fish chasing a water strider can take up what feels like a year. As am a writer/freelance consultant being plugged in to twitter, blogs, forums, hubs etc is my equiv of most people’s “office” but its totally refreshing to be unplugged now and then for sure :J
(ps and we couldnt do Tweehive without Twitter either)